Rotten Eggs

[Traakon]

Well, the saga seems to continue.

After a month of running really well "OSO" has returned to her bad ways.

While running errands today she ran fine for about 2 hours then stopped at a light, the idle dropped, it chases it up and down for a moment then stalled. Put it in neutral and it started right up. Continued to the next light, about a mile, and stopped and it "wanted" to stall but did not. Left the light and it was sluggish, RPM's ran up to 2k and everything flatlined there. Would not accelerate, would not change out of first. Cycled through the 1 and 2nd manually with the trans and nothing. Limped along for a mile+ and then suddenly it woke up and seemed fine again.

Next light, it did the "I want to stall" thing again but finally settled in at about 700 rpms.

Every time it wants to stall/does stall there is a very profound smell of rotten eggs. When "OSO" is running well, this smell is not present, just when it go through these fits.

I am really at a loss with where else to chase this.

 

[mct75]

Sulfur smell can be an issue with the catalytic converter. And if it were clogged you would have a loss of power.

 

[Traakon]

Sulfur smell can be an issue with the catalytic converter. And if it were clogged you would have a loss of power.

The cats brand new. Just re did the entire exhaust 6 months ago with new O2 sensors and the works.

 

[mct75]

Any black smoke from the exhaust?

 

[Traakon]

Any black smoke from the exhaust?

No sir. No smoke blue, grey or black.

 

[mct75]

Interesting! I would think it's either something wrong with the cat (the sulfur compounds are supposed to be converted by the cat) or maybe a rich mixture.

 

[LINUS]

Sounds like you need a new fuel filter.

And switch grades of gas you run for a bit, maybe toss some Techron in there too.

 

[TomOsborne]

Isnt the sulfur smell a sign of a failing alternator?

 

[panamacruiser]

I had something kindda like that...it was the transmission ...when it overheats it behaves as you said...get the dipstick and smell it...check color...I may be wrong, but it doesn't hurt to check...

 

[Traakon]

Interesting! I would think it's either something wrong with the cat (the sulfur compounds are supposed to be converted by the cat) or maybe a rich mixture.

If it was a carb vehicle I would look to the mixture but it is not and the new O2 sensors are suppose to tell the computer how to adjust the injectors for proper mix. Emphasis on the "Suppose to".

 

[Traakon]

Sounds like you need a new fuel filter.

And switch grades of gas you run for a bit, maybe toss some Techron in there too.

Fuel Filter was replaced a few months back along with all the rest of the fuel system items like fuel pump, resistor and relay.

I always run Cheveron Premium 91, she is an old girl and she deserves it

 

[Traakon]

I had something kindda like that...it was the transmission ...when it overheats it behaves as you said...get the dipstick and smell it...check color...I may be wrong, but it doesn't hurt to check...

Transmission was my initial thought since it would not come out of first and I had 2k rpm's but that does not explain all the rest.
Trans fluid smells/looks good and it was fully serviced with full pan drop, new filter and full flush in July last year.

 

[Traakon]

Isnt the sulfur smell a sign of a failing alternator?

Now that's one I have not heard...

 

[Fj81]

Bad battery maybe? They do that smell too

 

[BILT4ME]

Did you buy gas at a new/different gas station than normal?

A bad tank or batch may have that issue or washed a slug of crap through it.

Or, do you have any enemies (ex-wife's new boyfriend or anything)? I had a friend that had problems with his truck and the dealership took WEEKS to figure it out. Someone poured a 2L bottle of Coke in the gas tank. It would slosh around and run sluggish until the heat on the injectors would melt/burn the sugar and gum it up.

Had to drain/flush the ENTIRE fuel system and install new injectors.

 

[LINUS]

Nothing like a woman scorned.

A girlfriend had a good story of her parents' breakup where mom just pitched dad's gascap & poured a 5# bag of sugar around the neck & left the bag on the ground, at some loveshack place the guy used & thought was sneaky. (Doesn't happen in my small town, esp driving some flashy sports car)

He'd done the middle-age guy thing & was cheating, bought a 'dildo on tires' & was just waiting to get served papers when she did this.

He had it towed & drained, flushed, etc. - mom claimed she didn't actually pour any in it, just wanted to screw with him.


Back to topic:
-Is this smell coming out the tailpipe, or you smelling this at a stop coming more from the engine area?
-No mention of tossing a 'check' light yet - is that happening?

 

[fj40z]

Bad battery maybe? They do that smell too

I have seen that happen as well

 

[Funner]

Now that's one I have not heard...

Alternator over charges battery, sulfuric acid in batter off gasses sulfur smell.

 

[Traakon]

Bad battery maybe? They do that smell too

New Optima red top so I am leaning away from that.

Did you buy gas at a new/different gas station than normal?

A bad tank or batch may have that issue or washed a slug of crap through it.

Same gas from same Chevron station and always 91 octane. The station is only 3 years old so I would discount old/corrupted tanks as well.

I live on a gated two acres and the 'Cruiser is always in the garage. Wife works from home so I can discount "pissed off co workers" Or other malicious third parties.

Back to topic:
-Is this smell coming out the tailpipe, or you smelling this at a stop coming more from the engine area?
-No mention of tossing a 'check' light yet - is that happening?

It is tailpipe and not engine bay. If it were a battery I would be able to move to it pretty quickly even if the 'cruiser were not running.
...and no, what ever this is is not posting any new CEL codes.

I have spent the last 8 months chasing this problem in one form or another and the only one feeling better about it are Tom and Larry...the parts guys at Toyota. I know more about their lives than some of my family now

 

[Lowbudgetlc100]

Isnt the sulfur smell a sign of a failing alternator?

the smell of rotten egg to me is the battery long time ago had a toyota van. like a 85 the battery was in the second row seat area. smell really bad